People are being encouraged to hand in unused paint to DIY stores in Oxfordshire so that it can be used by community groups.

B&Q stores in Oxford, Abingdon and Banbury are acting as collection points for the paint.

Cans of gloss, emulsion, undercoat and masonry paint can be handed in as long as the paint is:

The partner in the scheme, Orinoco, at the Oxfordshire Scrapstore, passes on the paint for use by community groups, play associations, voluntary organisations and charities.

Last year, more than 700 tins of paint were handed over at B&Q's site at the John Allen Centre in Cowley.

*In the original container

*At least one third full

*Less than ten years old.

Sue Douglas, from Oxfordshire County Council's environmental services department, said: "This is one of those simple ideas where everyone gains. People get rid of old paint that is cluttering up the shed and the environment benefits from avoiding the need to dispose of it as rubbish, and it brightens up the lives of local groups and charities."

Organisations interested in using paint should contact Orinoco on 01865 200747.